Australians on the Western Front: A special display commemorating Australians in France and Belgium in the First World War

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Australians on the Western Front: 1916-1918 A special display

1 Australians on the Western Front: A special display commemorating Australians in France and Belgium in the First World War

Australians on the Western Front: 1916-1918 A special display commemorating Australians in France and Belgium

to make a further, lasting contribution to the Centenary commemorations in NSW Estimated to be seen by over

the community to view curated material from the Australian War Memorial s National Collection Three separate

1917, 1918 Chance to create a Community Event and engagement with your local community Opportunity to create

install and demount Exclusive Opportunity available to only RSL & Services Clubs Association Member Club

2 Australians on the Western Front: A special display commemorating Australians in France and Belgium in the First World War Bring the Australian War Memorial to your Club Executive Summary A valuable opportunity to make a further, lasting contribution to the Centenary commemorations in NSW Estimated to be seen by over half a million NSW residents Provide a unique point-of-difference at your venue by allowing Club members and the community to view curated material from the Australian War Memorial s National Collection Three separate displays will be provided over three years, covering the three years of the Western Front campaign , 1917, 1918 Chance to create a Community Event and engagement with your local community Opportunity to create media interest around your venue All artwork for advertising provided to you Displays are portable and easy to install and demount Exclusive Opportunity available to only RSL & Services Clubs Association Member Club venues state-wide 3 Year Commitment - $5,000 per year for 3 years Invoiced Annually (in advance) Eligible for Category 2 ClubGrants

3 Introduction For many years, RSL & Services Clubs Association and the Australian War Memorial have enjoyed a warm relationship. They share a common objective of commemorating the service and sacrifice of Australians in war and helping communities today understand our country s experience of war. Both organisations are playing a leading role in the nation s commemoration of the centenary of the First World War. The next three years through to 2018 will mark some of the most sombre anniversaries of the First World War and the ultimate Allied victory. In the muddy trenches of the Western Front and during the devastating battles of 1916, 1917 and 1918, Australian troops were to experience loss and suffering on a scale never before seen or imagined. Of the more than 295,000 Australians who served in this theatre of war in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), 46,000 lost their lives and 132,000 were wounded. But these terrible years would also see acts of courage, resilience, mateship, innovation, leadership and loyalty that would refine the character of Australia s digger, and indeed our nation. The proposed display, Australians on the Western Front: , will explore the experience of Australian servicemen and women in Belgium and France during these three long years. It would be delivered in a series of three companion displays over three years at participating RSL Clubs across NSW. As a joint initiative of the RSL & Services Clubs Association and the Memorial, this special display offers RSL Clubs a valuable opportunity to make a further, lasting contribution to the centenary commemorations in NSW. Storyline In the early period of the First World War, Australians were thrilled by the stories of their troops exploits in action. They had sent off to battle the newly formed Anzacs, whose initiation would begin with the seaborne invasion of the Turkish Gallipoli peninsula on 25 April After eight months of combat, this ill-fated enterprise was abandoned and the horrors of war were now a stark reality. The following year, in early 1916, the Australian divisions joined the British Army in France and Belgium, finally joining the war s main battle theatre. Here they found a new form of fighting: a modern mechanised war fought on land and in the air, previously unimagined firepower and with never before used chemical weaponry. Nothing could have prepared them for the ensuing years of terrible sacrifice. The three separate displays that make up Australians on the Western Front: provide a compelling historical overview of these years in France and Belgium, and the experience of Australians in the harshest theatre of the war. 2016: 1916: The Anzacs in France From March 1916 Australian divisions began arriving in France. Their initial optimism, after the cliffs of Gallipoli and the training camps of Egypt, would soon be dispelled. On 19 July the 5th Division entered the battle of Fromelles, suffering the AIF s worst losses in a 24 hour period. A few days later, on the Somme, three other Australian divisions joined the battle of the Somme, one of the most bloody and destructive battles in history. In a series of sustained and determined attacks against strong defences around the ruined village of Pozieres, the Australians suffered a rate of casualties that was nearly unsustainable for their volunteer army. The terrible year dragged on. The Somme offensive finally ended with the arrival of the most severe winter of trench warfare. In the face of such wide scale loss, at home Australians were being asked to support conscription - a debate that left bitter divisions in our society.

4 2017: 1917: To Flanders Fields For Australia, this third year of the Great War was the worst. Throughout 1917, massive offensives were fought, with devastating losses for moderate gains. In the beginning, things looked bright as the Australian pursued the German back to their Hindenburg Line. Then in April and May the Australians attacked the Hindenburg Line, finally seizing part of the line after bitter fighting and more heavy losses. Attention then turned to Flanders and in June there was a successful battle at Messines. From September the Australians joined in the Ypres offensive; all five divisions and the New Zealanders eventually taking part. In eight weeks the AIF suffered 38,000 casualties; the Ypres offensive finally died in the mud at Passchendaele. For the troops on the ground, and for those watching from home, morale was at its lowest ebb, with victory seeming impossible. In Australia, a grieving population was asked a second time to introduce conscription. A second time they said no. Those at the Front were left to rely on themselves, and the dwindling pool of volunteers, until the end of the war. 2018: 1918: Advancing to Victory By the opening days of 1918, the Australian troops were depleted, exhausted, and despairing. The German Spring offensive, with its massed artillery attacks and Stormtrooper tactics, was terrifyingly successful. One after another, places so desperately fought over in past years fell back into German hands. Pozieres, Bapaume, Bullecourt, Zonnebeke, Broodseinde, and Passchendaele were lost. In April the Australians took part in halting the Germans advance. The Allies fought on, and by mid-year had gained ascendancy was a year of defining events that would change the course of the war. In late May the renowned Australian Corps came under the leadership of John Monash. Then followed the decisive battles of Hamel, Amiens, Mont St Quentin. Finally, with the imminent threat of another winter there was the breaking of the Hindenburg Line and, ultimately, victory. The end, when it came, was abrupt. In the early morning of 11 November 1918 the Germans signed an armistice, and a few hours later the fighting stopped. But victory came at a terrible price. The losses in this final year totalled over 12,000 killed and 36,000 wounded. A further 12,000 were affected by gas poisoning, with many suffering its lingering effects for the rest of their lives. The social, industrial, economic and psychological consequences at home would shape generations to come. The three-part display, Australians on the Western Front: , would be delivered over three years, commencing in 2016 and concluding in Each series in the display will focus on a single year 1916, 1917, and 1918 to be exhibited in its anniversary year. The display will be exhibited at participating RSL Clubs across New South Wales, providing a valuable opportunity for Club members and the community to view curated material from the Memorial s National Collection. The display would include reproduced images of paintings and drawings by official war artists, film footage, photographs, personal stories and, where possible, film footage. The display will be developed and produced by the Memorial, and delivered as a portable and easy to install/demount display of 8-12 high quality free-standing panels. It will be suitable for large office spaces or foyer areas within participating RSL Clubs. Three versions of each series (a total of nine sets over the three years) would be developed and made available through the RSL & Services Clubs Association, for display at participating clubs across NSW.

5 Your Club s chance to secure this display for your venue RSL & Services Clubs Association members have the opportunity to become part of this historic travelling exhibition. For 3-4 weeks each year, the Australians on the Western Front: Exhibition can be set up in a major traffic area of your Club, enabling thousands of your members over this period to understand the contributions and sacrifices of Australians in France and Belgium in each of these key years of World War I. For the very low cost of just $5,000 (+GST) each year, the exhibition will be delivered to your Club for your staff to unpack and set up. At the end of your allocated period, your staff are asked to disassemble the display and repack into the travelling boxes, ready for pick up by the courier company. The courier costs are included in this annual fee. The RSL & Services Clubs Association will supply you, as part of this annual fee, artwork for advertising on your club website, your members newsletter, internal TV screens and poster/banner production to promote the exhibition. You are encouraged to conduct a local official opening of the display in your club, inviting local political representatives, community and ex-service organization representatives and the media to gain local publicity for the period of the exhibition. Any local families whose forebears served on the Western Front should also be invited. YOUR CLUB NEEDS TO DECIDE TO ACCEPT THIS OPPORTUNITY VERY QUICKLY! The Association needs commitments from clubs by 15th December 2015 to enable the 2016 schedule to be completed. First In basis SO ACT TODAY! There are three touring sets of the exhibition being produced. Therefore there are only 36 Club venues who can take up this offer. It will be on a first in basis so make sure you complete the Exhibition Registration Form TODAY, scan it and it back as soon as possible. Once this is received, you will be invoiced for the first year s fee and the month in which you will have the 2016 display will be advised to you. YOUR REGISTRATION FORM MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE ASSOCIATION OFFICE BEFORE 15th DECEMBER 2015 but the sooner the better chance your club has of gaining a position on this historic touring exhibition.

Australians on the Western Front: 1916-1918 A special display commemorating

Name of Club:. Street Address:... Suburb/Town:... Postcode:.

the Western Front 1916-1918 and commits to paying the annual Fee each year.

will be repacked ready for pick up at the agreed end date, which will be advised by

6 Australians on the Western Front: A special display commemorating Australians in France and Belgium in the First World War EXHIBITION REGISTRATION FORM Name of Club:. Street Address:... Suburb/Town:... Postcode:. Yes, our Club wishes to be a part of the touring exhibition, Australians on the Western Front and commits to paying the annual Fee each year. We agree to ensure the display is set up according to the instructions provided and will be repacked ready for pick up at the agreed end date, which will be advised by the RSL & Services Clubs Association. Signature:... Date: Print Name:. Position:. Phone:. . Please complete this form and fax to or scan and to admin@rslservicesclubs.com.au BEFORE 15th December You will be notified of the selected month of your exhibition period after this date.

ANZAC DAY ON THE WESTERN FRONT

INFO PACK ANZAC DAY ON THE WESTERN FRONT The team at Pillow would like to say thank you for showing interest in our ANZAC Day tour on the Western Front. Whether you are visiting this history enriched area